January 2, 2004

Kruger, Modlin Lead Women’s Basketball

Lopers Get by Pueblo 

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team got double doubles from senior forward Allison Kruger and sophomore center Kalee Modlin to lead the Lopers past Colorado State-Pueblo, 84-71, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            Winners of six straight, UNK improves to 8-2 (2-0 RMAC) on the year while CSUP  (5-5, 1-1 RMAC) saw its four game win streak snapped. 

            This was the first game UNK played without starting point guard Liz Fischer, who suffered a season-ending knee injury over the weekend in practice. The true freshman from Leigh averaged 8.4 points, 2.8 steals and 2.1 assists per game and  over the first nine contests. 

            Modlin had 14 points and 11 rebounds in the first half to put the Lopers ahead by 10 points, 38-28, at the break. The Iowa native finished the contest with 23 points and tied her career-high with 15 rebounds.

            CSUP began the second half on a 12-2 run to tie things to tie things at 40 all. UNK scored the game’s next six points but the ‘Wolves stayed within striking distance for the next 10 minutes.

            A Taryn Ninemire layup gave UNK a 70-64 lead with 4:13 to go and then and “old fashioned” three point play by Modlin pushed the lead to nine, 73-64, with just 2:59 left. The Lopers then pushed the lead into double figures and cruised to victory.

            Kruger had 10 points and eight rebounds in the second half to finish with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

            Kearney sophomore Nicole Gruntorad, one of the players that will fill the void left by Fischer, scored a  season-high 20 points off the bench.

            Four Pueblo players were in double figures, led by post player Quatisha Bailey with 17.

            UNK hosts New Mexico Highlands tomorrow night.